The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-19

pie without these advantages are, when
friend after friend departs" and old age
carries one beyond the sympathy and in
terests of the younger generation. Then,
something beyond the "toiling and the
weeping" becomes a precious possession.
Her bureau, light-stsnd and candle-
stick remain to bring the air of reality
into the lowly chan Der; the other fur
nishings were made to correspond.
The other rooms are the ordinary bed
rooms of good country houses Of that
period; fireless, depending for their
warmth upon wooden sheets, warming
pans and foot-stovee. Servants are better
provided with comfortable rooms in these
days OF steam pipes and furnaces.
Ernestine was much interested through
out; she looked, went away and returned
for last look, and then I lost sight of
her for few moments when I think she
climbed the spiral stairs to look off from
the observatory; but knew that Maurice
didn't; and then we went down all the
three stairways into the grand hall, paus-
ing to look at the tall clock, which tradi-
ton says, stopped, or was stopped, the
night Washington died, and it's ton
que has never tolled the hours, or it's
voice said, Forever, never; never, for
everp since; and, as we all like little
spice OF superstition and romance ming
led with our realities, those can think SO
who wishl
The central hall sweeps through the
house from front porch to west front
door, where huge brass knocker
hangs as in days of yore. We were so
taken up with the key to the Bastile, pre-
sented to Washington by Lafayette, on
his visit, and after the destruction of that
infamous prison OF horrors, and several
other objects on the walls, that we forgot
to register. Across this hall are two rooms
known as the East and West parlors.
Their freplaces stand back to back across
the inland corners. The East parlor
contains Mrs. Washington's daughter
Nellie's harpischord, the only object in
the room OF any historical significance
as Ohio has furnished it up in too bright
and modern style to be in harmony OF tone
with the rest of the place. Yes, Ohio did
it And she. or her representative, ought
to have known better how to preserve
that happy medium OF the fitness OF things
which does not destroy the illusions and
associations of the whole; for our imag-
nations are sensitive to the harmony, or
most OF it, in noted places, whether it
fits or quarrels with our conceived ideals.
Lastly we entered the great State din
ing-room, the only room of noble proper
tons, noble enough to lift il above the
commonplace even without furnishings.
Here are portraits OF Washington be-
fore Yorktown, life size. His portrait,
painted by Stewart, and old chairs and
sofas, really relics OF the olden times.
The Regents sat at a table covered
with books and papers, but they had just
adjourned for lunch. Some of the ladies'
had an antique, quaint look, as though
they might have returned after long alb
sence. to get news of earth.
Mrs. Laughton, the presiding Regent,
had marked face, full of character; pale
yellow, curling hair and winning man
ner. Another, a Mrs. Washington, from
Pennsylvania, was the wife OF distant
relation of the family.
The ladies being at leisure, thought
} it we'll to open up an interview with one
nearest at hand, and my selection proved
to be chatty,e OF approach, gracious of
manner; and willingly gave me the several
"points" have put into this narrative.
On leaving her, I said to Erneetine,
"My dear, I have an impression that she
with whom 1 was conversing is Miss
Longfellow."
With animation, "Do you think so?
Tell me why? should love to get her
autograph
"My interview is over, bat will give
you my reasons for thinking as do. 1t
is circumstantial evidence, and may be
mistaken, but you can find out for your
self if you follow my directions. First,
1 know she is on the Boardl Second,
she gave me the names OF those present,
mentioning Miss Edith Longfellow; Il
know that trick, having served seven
years on the Board of Home, being Sec.
rotary, always gave my name last in my
reports to the press.) Third, and she
looks like picture of Longfellow's child
rem which saw years ago." Ernestine
followed my ''cue" as to finding out. We
were both presented in due form, and
after few pleasant words of greeting
the autograph was asked for and obtained,
and a sweet face. and genial manner of
gracious womanhood hung up in mem
ory's hall beside our reverence of the
poet who voiced the sympathies of SO
many troubled, loving human hearts.
We didn't care so very much for
the carved mantel-piece after that, be-
side, it was not there in Washington's
day, but an innovation by later genera
ton. Therefore, we left it for the old
kitchen and flower gardens. We walked
leisurely through the prim, green alleys
of clipped lockwood, inhaIing the scent
OF roses; we ate our lunch in contempla-
tive mood under spreading spruce pines,
Il NY Il